Central Sales ready to break ground on new building

Editor's note: This story is advertorial content as part of the 2023 Jamestown Sun Progress Edition on "Business, Workforce, Retention."

JAMESTOWN — One of the people in Jamestown impatiently waiting for spring weather is Jeff Romsdal, owner and general manager of Central Sales, which plans to start construction on its new building this spring.

“Going to be happening as soon as we get rid of this white stuff,” he said, referring to the snow on the ground. “We’ll be going from about 15,500 square feet to more than 29,000 square feet.”

Romsdal said the expansion is intended to better accommodate its line of Melroe Bobcats as well as improve sales and service for all of its products.

For example, the new shop area will have a higher roof and ceiling, accommodating newer combines that are too tall to fit easily into the current shop.

The move will also put the dealership closer to Jamestown and make it more visible in the community.

Currently, Central Sales is located 2 miles south of town on U.S. Highway 281. The planned location is on the frontage road between Menards and the Jamestown Regional Medical Center in southwest Jamestown.

“We are a destination for our customers now,” Romsdal said. “A little out of sight and out of mind for the farmers who don’t drive by us.”

Romsdal said the dealership could move to its new location by this fall or the spring of 2024, depending on several variables including the weather.

The dealership includes the Bobcat and AGCO lines of equipment.

“AGCO includes the Massey Ferguson, White planters and Gleaner combines,” Romsdal said. “Our dealership in Casselton handles the Versatile equipment so we have access to that as well.”

Central Sales began operations in 1974 and is family owned. Originally, it sold Allis-Chalmers equipment but has expanded and changed its product offerings over the years as the agricultural equipment industry has changed.

“Farming has changed so much in 50 years,” Romsdal said, referring to the years Central Sales has operated. “It was small grains and a lot of cow-calf operations. Now it's corn and soybeans. We’ve gone from levers and mechanical operations to high-tech electronics.”

Central Sales is also looking to change with the times.

Romsdal said the new facility will help Central Sales continue to provide service for all equipment. It will also allow Central Sales to expand from its current workforce of 15 to about 21 workers.

“We have a great team,” he said. “… without the passion from our people, it would be difficult to look at investing in a new location.”

Central Sales can be reached at 252-7030 or www.CentralSalesInc.com .